Less than a month after Microsoft Finish the support of Windows 10 And that there is no other remedy to update Windows 11 Or continue using a equipment that will be increasingly insecure, users can breathe calm. For a year, at least, that it is the time that the company will extend the safety updates of the operating system, without any condition.
Until now, Microsoft offered users three methods to access the program ESU (Acronym for extended security updates) with which they could continue receiving such updates one more year, Until October 14, 2026. Well paying 30 dollars, spending 1,000 points of Microsoft Rewards -A loyalty program that gives points for performing actions such as using the search engine Bing– Or making a backup of the equipment in the OneDrive associated with the user’s Microsoft account.
This last requirement, in practice, would force many to pay for a larger space storage in Microsoft’s cloudsince that of free accounts is only 5 GB, insufficient for a backup in many cases.
It is not ventured to say that most Windows 10 users are not aware of these options to expand the support, but now things have changed For those residing in Europe.
A Microsoft spokesman has confirmed that clients of the European Economic Space (EEE) do not need to pay or share their data with the company to obtain additional updates.
‘In the European economic space we are making changes in the registration process for make sure that it meets local expectations and offers a safe and simplified experience. Our goal is to support customers and give them options as they make the transition to Windows 11, With uninterrupted access to critical security updates‘, said the company.
Why has Microsoft changed posture
Short, thanks to the pressure of the International Association for Consumer Defense Euroconsumers and Digital Markets Law (DMA) of Europe, which exposes technological giants to strong economic sanctions if it is not fulfilled.
Euroconsumers, which groups several national associations in Europe and South America, has also given reasons for the change of posture: ‘We are pleased to know that Microsoft will provide the private users of Windows 10 in the European Economic Space in the European Economic Space The extended security updates option (ESU) without cost. We are also glad that this option Do not require users to make backups of adjustments, applications or credentials, or using Microsoft Rewards. This was our main concern in relation to the DMA, since linking access to essential security updates with the use of Microsoft’s own services raised reasonable doubts about compliance with the obligations of article 6 (6) of the DMA.
It should be noted that the deadlines planned by Microsoft to definitively abandon the one that was, until this summer, the Windows with the highest market share have not modified. The company will leave the Windows 10 support for private users in October 2026, and Business will be able to expand three more years paying Microsoft a rate for each program registered in the ESU.
Euroconsumers follow Pressing Microsoft to expand security updates for consumers beyond a yearin order to prevent the devices from being ‘exposed to risks’ next year.